Carpet May Be A Clue In Case Of Missing Texas Woman

By Associated Press&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Sun 12:45 PM, Dec 14, 2008

Carpet found along a suburban highway may be linked to a convicted sex offender who was the last person seen with a missing Brooklyn woman who left her home in Texas to pursue her dreams in New York City, police said.

State Police Lt. Brian Shortall said investigators combing an area near Bloomingburg have found pieces of rug that may be from Michael Mele's apartment.

The carpeting was spotted near State Route 17, about 80 miles northwest of Manhattan.

The rug will be tested to determine whether it is linked to Mele, considered a "person of interest" in the disappearance of Laura Garza, 25, who left a Manhattan nightclub with Mele early on Dec. 3.

She was last seen with him hours later near his Wallkill apartment.

Garza moved to New York from McAllen.

Mele has not been charged in her disappearance, but he is being held on $100,000 bail on a probation violation charge.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.